Miss Mephistopheles

g of the owner, and, in order that there should be no mistake, the dusty, rain-streaked windows displayed the legend, "Lazarus, Pawnbroker," in blistered golden letters. There were thr

, being full of marvels, and behind their dingy glass could be seen inn

rare old Worcester and Sêvres china. Dingy velvet trays, containing innumerable coins and medals of every description, antique jewellery of a mode long since out of date, were incongruously mingled with revolvers, guns, spoons, cruets, and japanned trays, decorated with sprawling golden dragons; richly-chased Indian daggers, tarnished silver mugs, in company with deadly-looking American b

of old clothes were hanging up against the wall, looking like the phantoms of their former owners. At the back, a door, covered with faded green baize, and decorated with brass-headed nails, gave admittance to the private office of the presiding genius of the place. The whole appearance of the shop was gloomy in the extreme, and

ll, white-faced Jewish youth whose black beady eyes were scornfully examining a dilapidated teapot, which the gruff lady asserted was silver, and which the

d in an angry tone. "'Tain't by the sauce of b

, that being the shrill boy's na

arments--a tartan shawl and a

it noo; don't be 'ard on me, my lovey--me as 'ave popped everythink with you, includin' four sil

turned the imm

the counter with a woefully ragged umbrella. "You cheats an' you sw

to which Mrs. Tibsey replied in a rolling bass, a duet which grew wilder and wil

m right down to his ragged carpet slippers. He had white hair and beard, piercing black eyes under shaggy white

ghing seized him, and he contented himself with glaring at Mrs. Tibsey, upon which he was imme

shrieked; "fiv

said Lazarus in dismay;

ten," said

you say ten, bu

y s

ou

bsey, clashing it down in wr

time," chuckled the old man, an

sniggered Isaiah, making out the pawnticket.

le; "me drink, as takes in washin' and goes hout nussin', an' was quite the lady afore I fell into the company of wipers: me dr-- well," an

s," said Keith, startled

the wrigglin' heel 'e h'are, and if you're goin' to pop anythink, don't let it be a silver teapot, 'cause old Sating h'inside is the cuss o

arent," observed Keith,

imes," said Ezra complacently

aiah, resuming the readin

ire, had an old battered kettle simmering on its hob. At the back a square dirty-paned window, through which the light fell on a small table covered with greasy green cloth, and piled up with papers. At this table sat old Lazarus, mumbling over some figures.

man you spoke of? Well, well--too good-looking, my dear--the wom

siness, not yours,

love him, and love means presents--that

first time. "You can't tell a man's character altogether by his

zarus, rubbing his hands together

been accustom

you h

h la

ally consi

saying much. What

week," said St

wo, my dear, two pounds, or forty shillings, i

"I've got my doubts on the subject; however

trial," muttered th

hoping that by the time his trial is over he would

e till six, with half-an-hour for something to eat in t

d Stewart. "Well, Mr. Lazarus, as it's all settl

e-racing, no gambling, no women--th

her," said Ezra satirically, "consi

ow fine ladies; they come to old Lazarus for money--to sell diam

t afraid of being r

with a sudden gleam of

can fire it, then the neighbours, my dear, all round; oh, I'm quite safe--yes, yes, quite

girl to whom Ez

replied. "I took her the o

p his hands. "Oh, dear, dear, what

th, whereupon Mr. Lazar

body, ruins 'em body and soul, and l

disgust, and took Keith's arm. "Come a

head, "make money, my dear, make--" here another fit of

he street; "how I hate the miasma of that place. It's like

ws Caprice?" asked Keith, as

es to my father; when a woman is in trouble, she goes there also; in spite of her lovers, Caprice is such an extravagant woman, that I've no doub

thoughtfully; "it isn't much, but wil

er appointment," replied Ezra, "and

jade Fortune plays us. I come to Melbourne full of poetic dreams, and find m

st poet who has gon

went on such good terms," retort